Issue - meetings

By Councillor Flannery – Council Tax Exemptions for PhD Students

“Committee recognises that:

1.         There is a confusion over PhD research students’ status in assessing Council Tax (CT) exemptions.

2.         That Universities should be the final arbiters to decide student status, particularly when assessing extenuating circumstances, and that Covid restrictions or ill health, are legitimate extenuating circumstance.

3.         That there is a need for reassurance and investigation into the management of Council Tax student accounts, including accuracy of bills in assessing, or making, allowances for the above, as prescribed on a case-by-case basis.

Agrees:

That it is not acceptable for multiple contradicting letters containing bills and reminder notices, showing differing amounts owed each time.

Asks:

That all officers are provided with the same information regarding student status for the purposes of assessing PhD CT exemption.

For improvement in communications with universities and students, with an agreement that extenuating circumstances deemed by the university in assessing future exemptions, should be the benchmark assessment.

Requests:

A briefing or bulletin update on any CT communications improvement on the Council Website, and integration with the Universities’ recommendations in awarding extenuating circumstances.”